Walker's Promise
An online predator stole Walker’s life. Protect your child.
Who is Walker?
Walker Montgomery is a 16-year-old football player from Mississippi whose life was cut short by online sextortion.
Late one evening, a “cute girl” messaged him on Instagram — but it wasn’t a girl. It was an online predator who manipulated and threatened him. From the first DM to the time we lost Walker, it was less than three hours. The predator attacked fast, in the middle of the night.
“I know that if his phone had been in my room that night, Walker would still be here.” – Walker’s da
Together, with Walker’s parents, we’ve created a simple but powerful commitment every family can make to protect their kids.
What is Walker’s Promise?
A commitment to keep screens out of my child’s bedroom and bathroom.
I’m taking a stand to
- Keep predators out of my child’s bedroom and bathroom
- Protect my child’s private space, teaching boundaries about nudes
- Prevent secrets from developing on screens, like pornography
Increase sleep, improving my child’s focus at school and home
I recognize that this small step makes a powerful difference in keeping my child safe — and I’m choosing to take that stand today.
We’ll never share your information. This is simply your personal pledge to protect your family.
Already Have Screens in Bedrooms or Bathrooms?
It’s never too late to start fresh — and we’re here to help. Sign Walker’s Promise, then watch this short message about resetting your rules: Watch on YouTube
Adapting the Promise as Kids Grow
At nextTalk, we believe your guidelines should grow with your child’s maturity.
Stage
Step 1 — Young Child: When first introducing devices or online access, no screens in bedrooms or bathrooms — ever. Start strong.
Step 1 — Young Child: After a long stretch with no problems, your teen may earn taking their phone in the bedroom during the day with the door open. Still no phones in bathrooms or at bedtime.
Step 1 — Young Child: Prior to your kid moving out, catch your teen doing something awesome to earn their phone in the bedroom at night assuming you have a healthy relationship, no problems with lying and your teen knows the red flags for online predators and other dangers. By 18, your teen should be flying solo!
Stage
Step 1 — Young Child:
Step 2 — Trusted Teen:
Step 3 — Almost Adult:
Who is Walker?
When first introducing devices or online access, no screens in bedrooms or bathrooms — ever. Start strong.
After a long stretch with no problems, your teen may earn taking their phone in the bedroom during the day with the door open. Still no phones in bathrooms or at bedtime.
Prior to your kid moving out, catch your teen doing something awesome to earn their phone in the bedroom at night assuming you have a healthy relationship, no problems with lying and your teen knows the red flags for online predators and other dangers. By 18, your teen should be flying solo!
More Conversations with Walker’s Dad
These share the heart and purpose behind Walker’s Promise — how one family’s story is saving other children.
16 Year Old’s Suicide from Sextortion
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16 Year Old’s Suicide from Sextortion
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Guardrails to Protect Kids Online w/ Brian Montgomery
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